Rail-joint.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

H. J.- RIGKARD.

RAIL JOINT. APPLICATION FILED mm 7. 1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J RIOKARD, OF FRUGALITY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PETER. WYLIE, OF FRUGALITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL-J OIN T.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1'7, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J. RIoKARD, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Frugality, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have 5 invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention has for its object the provision of a rail-joint which will hold the ends of the rails securely coupled and which will not be loosened and uncoupled under the jar of passing trains.

This object is attained by the use of the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the invention consists in certain novel features of the same as will be hereinafter first fully described and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rail joint embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same with one of the locking plates removed; Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line xx of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the lockingplates, and Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the plugs.

In carrying out my invention, I form the rails, 1, with extensions, 2, at their ends which are arranged to overlap, the extension on each rail being at one side of the central longitudinal line of the same and each extension having a lower portion arranged to project over and rest upon the base flange oi the meeting rail. On the web of each rail are two lateral boxes or sockets, 4, the mouths of which are opposed to each other and the web portion of the extension of the meeting rail is provided with two openings, '5, through which the said boxes or sockets project. In the mouths or openings of these sockets, when the parts are coupled, are fitted plugs, 6, the inner ends of which are offset from the rail to provide heads or shoulders, 7, behind which are engaged the T-head, 8, of the locking plate, 9. The said T-head is formed on the under side of the locking plate which is shaped to fit snugly between the sockets and extend down over the base of the extension and the base flange of the rail thereby completely covering the plugs. The lower edges of the locking plates are spiked to the tie as will be readily understood.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, that I have produced a rail joint in which there are no bolts with nuts to work loose and no fishplates to sag down and break the opposite rail. There are no boltholes through the rails to weaken the same yet the parts are held firmly together and side movement is prevented although the longitudinal movement due to expansion and contraction is accommodated. When the locking plates are spiked down to the tie, the parts are secured positively in their proper positions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters- Patent is:

l 1. The combination of a rail having lateral sockets, plugs fitted in said sockets; and a locking plate engaging over said phgs, and arranged to be spiked down.

2. The combination of a rail, lateral offsets thereon, and a locking plate engaging said offsets and extending over the base of the rail.

3. The combination of a rail having lateral sockets, a meeting rail having an extension provided with openings to receive said sockets, plugs fitted in said sockets, and a locking plate engaging over said plugs and bearing against the said extension and arranged to be spiked down.

4. The combination of a rail having lateral sockets, a meeting rail having an extension provided with openings through which said sockets project, plugs fitted in said sockets and against said extension and having their inner ends offset from the extension, and a locking plate engaging over the said offset ends of the plugs and against the said extension.

5. The combination of a rail having lateral sockets, a meeting rail having an extension provided with openings through which said sockets project, plugs fitted in said openings and against said extension, and a locking plate having a T-head on its under side near its upper edge to engage over said plugs and between the same and the extension.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

. HENRY .T. RICKARD. Witnesses M. .T. NOEL,

.T EDWARD STEVENS. 

